steer and accelerate by leaning on this smart electric scooter by LAYER for NIO

the last-mile is a design transportation problem that has seen many solutions in the past year. onewheels, boosted boards, and e-bikes by the thousand have been developed in the hopes of swooning commuters toward romance and efficiency. the latest baby born on the road of last-miles is this electric scooter, PAL, with hub motors and lean-steering. presented at milan design week and designed by benjamin hubert’s experience design agency, LAYER, for chinese electric vehicle company, NIO, it also comes fit with an AI companion…

all images courtesy of LAYER

PAL’s unique shape and accessories might raise a few questions. the photo below, for instance, shows a user holding a modular luggage accessory. it clicks-to the steering column seamlessly via an electromagnetic panel, where a modular shopping cart and basket also attach.

but along with cool features, commuters have sought more sustainable solutions as well. NIO wanted a vehicle that was as efficient as it was fun, so LAYER made PAL’s chassis and steering column with graphene-coated carbon fibre — making it as strong and fast as it is light and efficient. 

sometimes the last-mile is the most volatile one. a lot can go wrong just as you’re a few minutes ride from work, so NIO’s full resources were designed into PAL. PAL can be charged in the trunk of any NIO vehicle and has an AI companion, connected to NIO’s app, that can speak to you via bluetooth. PAL will tell you the fastest route to get home, remind you how much battery life is left and learn from your riding style.

but of all the specs, one of the most surprising and efficient rests in the hub motors of each front wheel. as you lean forward strongly to accelerate and lean lightly to turn, PAL adjusts independent ‘wheel speed’ steering, in which the wheel speed varies to turn the vehicle, as you skid your way toward your final destination.

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product info:

name: PAL

brand: NIO

designer: benjamin hubert

studio: LAYER

exhibition: wallpaper* handmade